Vocabulary - Area

The term 'area' refers to the measurement of the space that covers the surface of a two-dimensional shape, such as a square or rectangle. In the context of educational resources for Key Stage 2 students, understanding the concept of area is fundamental to their mathematical development. The area is typically measured in square units, which could be square centimetres (cm²) or other units of measure, depending on the context and the size of the surface being measured. When discussing the area of smaller shapes, square centimetres are often used as they provide a precise measurement of the space covered.

The symbol 'cm²' represents a square centimetre, which is a unit of area equivalent to the area of a square with sides that are each one centimetre in length. In practice, when calculating the area of a square, one would simply multiply the length of one side by itself, as all sides are equal. For example, if one side of a square is 3 centimetres long, the area would be 3 cm multiplied by 3 cm, resulting in an area of 9 cm². This measurement helps students visualise and quantify the extent of a surface, providing a clear and tangible understanding of the concept of area within their mathematical studies.